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PSF- - Subject file
DR- Vannevan Bush
Box 12/
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE BEST
AVAILABLE. EVERY TECHNICAL
EFFORT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO
INSURE LEGIBILITY.
PSF
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 13, 1942.
TOME
MEMORANDUM FOR THE
DIRECTOR OF THE BUDGET
FOR RECOMMENDATION.
F.D.R.
Letter to the Pres. from Vennevar Bush,
Director of Office or Scientific Research
and Development 1/9/42 re Civilian
Scientific Corps and the mooilization of
sume.
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
National Archives and Records Service
Papers of President Franklin D. Rooseve
FRANKLIN 0. ROOSEVELT LIBRARY
HYDE PARK, N.Y.
PSF Bash folder
Confidential
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 11, 1942.
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. VANNEVAR BUSH:
I am greatly interested in your
report of March ninth and I am returning it
herewith for your confidential file. I
think the whole thing should be pushed
not only in regard to development, but also
with due regard to time. This is very much
of the essence. I have no objection to turn-
ing over future progress to the War Depart-
ment on condition that you yourself are
certain that the War Department has made
all adequate provision for absolute secrecy.
F.D.R.
From the Office of
V. BUSH
Mr. Forster:
file Buck. PSF
April 23,
1942.
These are films of the "amphibious jeep".
I think the President, when he has a moment
to relax, may enjoy seeing them. They are con-
fidential, of course, but not extremely so, for
the vehicle itself has been seen on the road
and there was a brief statement about it re-
leased by the Army.
This is one of the fastest jobs on record.
My group were turned loose on it about Decem-
ber 10, and by March 10 we had a finished
vehicle on test, and it is now under production.
One would expect that, when a jeep is made
to swim, it would become a poor land vehicle.
Quite the contrary, the amphibious jeep out-
peforms the ordinary jeep on land. Also it
does well in surf, as the film shows.
Uses are of course being held closely
confidential. Please tell the President,
however, that the British Commandos know all
about it, and are following it closely.
My group of engineers is now busy making
other things swim.
menth
From the Office of
V. BUSH
June Subj 24, V. Bush 1942. File Folder
Mr. Forster:
The accompanying memorandum
is in reply to the memorandum from
the President to me of yesterday,
reading "Do you have the money?".
N.B.
V. Bush.
From the Office of
V. BUSH
CONFID AT
June 24, 1942.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
We have the money. The
Army plans to use available funds
to be later replaced.
Arthur Compton has plenty
of reason for being excited, but
like many a scientist is not noted
for staying in channels. He is
getting results, however, and I
hope he gets them fast enough.
N.D.
V. Bush.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
DECLASSIFIED AEC to
Director, 2-12-70
Bach Folder
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 23, 1942.
MEMORANDUM FOR DR. VANNEVAR BUSH:
Do you have the money?
F.D.R.
Copy of the Vice President's letter attached
for our files, original sent with telegram
from Arthur H. Compton to the Vice President
"I suspect Bush is having trouble getting
suitable financing of work we have discussed.
Have strong evidence Germans will have this
weapon ready for use in 1943? If we are not
similarly ready this would mean disaster.
Can see no safety from this threat short of
all out effort to develop counter measures.
Please check with Bush to ensure making such
effort possible." from Pittsburgh, Penna.
SINE
June 20, 1942
The President
The White House
Dear Mr. President:
You might take the enclosed wire from
Arthur Compton into account along with the
report submitted to you by Vannevar Bush and
signed by myself and the Secretary of War.
Respectfully yours,
H. A. Wallace
PSF Bush
THE WHITE HOUSE
Bot
WASHINGTON
July 11, 1942.
MENORANDUM FOR DR. VANNEVAR BUSH:
I do not think I have replied
to yours of June 19th in relation to the
purchase of certain are in Canada. I agree
with you that we should encourage the
Canadians to go ahead.
Also, I wholly approve your
patent control policy.
I talked with Mr. Churchill in
regard to this whole matter and we are
in complete accord.
F.D.R.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
DECLASSIFIED
AEC Disector, FDRL
2-12-70
PSF.
Bush
no
1
OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1530 P STREET NW.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
VANNEVAR BUSH
Director
June 19, 1942.
Tranklin D. Roosevelt Library
The President,
The White House,
DECLASSIFIED
Washington, D.C.
AEC to Divector, FDRL
Dear Mr. President:
2-12-70
The program of very confidential nature which you initialled
on the seventeenth is now being put into effect. In accord with
our policy, I am informing the British of our technical and orga-
nizational plans, and they will presently send to me the program
which they are just now considering. I feel sure these two plans
will fit together adequately.
In this connection I have occasionally been consulted by the
British concerning after-the-war relationships on this matter, and
my reply has always been that you will presumably discuss these
with Mr. Churchill. These relationships may be of exceedingly
great importance, for one thing because of the power production
aspects.
On one point, however, I would like to be in a position to
give a reply. The Canadians are considering quietly purchasing
the principal ore source in Canada so that it will be under their
government control. The British seem to approve this move, but
ask our reactions. I am inclined to encourage them to go ahead,
with the thought that international relationships will be more
readily handled if control of the matter is in government hands.
Do you wish me to indicate that such a step would be consi dered
appropriate?
With this same thought in mind, I am providing for adequate
records of our research on the basis of which patents can later
be prepared, and I intend to see to it, so far as possible, that
these are assigned outright to the United States Government. Un-
fortunately, complete patent control may not be possible in this
way, but sufficient may be obtained so that the method could not
be applied in peace time except under government license.
Otherwise, I will take steps on control of the matter, or on
international relationships concerning it, only as you may direct.
Respectfully N.Bal yours,
V. Bush,
Director.
PSF alr Bush folder 2-42
December 28, 1942.
Dear Van:-
I have yours of December sixteenth with
postscript of December twenty-third in regard to
the special project. I will approve the recom-
mendations.
Please send me a memorandum as to how
you think I should approach the Budget in asking
for the appropriation.
I am returning your folder and letter
duly sealed.
Always sincerely,
Dr. Bush, asper Presidents notation
The original of this letter returned 5
Y
Office for Emergency Management
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
20/ 2/4/43 hm 4/43
1530 P Street NW
Washington, D.C.
February 2, 1943
The President,
The White House,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
This memorandum is in response to your note
of December twenty-eighth, in which you ask that I
indicate how you might appropriately approach the
Budget in connection with the special program which
you authorized at that time.
My suggestion is that you direct the Army to
include the matter with its other requests for ap-
propriation as a contingent percentage for reserves
for one of the larger items. No detailed justifice-
tion would be submitted, but a general justification
could be made confidentially to the Chairman of each
Appropriation Committee and to the Director of the
Bureau of the Budget.
If you wish the matter handled in this way,
T will be glad to 90 inform the appropriate fficers
in the Army.
Respectfully yours,
(Signed)
V. BUSH
V. Bush,
Director.
"V. B.
O.K.
F.D.R."
Brom the Office of
V. BUSH
February 2, 1943.
Mr. Forster:
If this is what the Presi-
dent wants, and I think it is,
I'll see that it gets done. The
Army is agreeable to doing it
this way. I judge the President
will probably initial and return
my note, so that I will have de-
finite instructions to proceed.
NO
V. Bush.
I
REMIND MR. HOPKINS TO SPEAK TO
GENERAL SOMERVELL ON THIS
NEXT THREE OR FOUR DAYS
2/19/43-
GEORET
Franklin D. Reesevelt Library
DECL ASSIFIED
AEC to Divector FORL
2-12-70
PSF
From: London
Bush
To:
President of the United States
Unnumbered February 16, 1943.
Prime Minister to Mister Harry Hopkins personal and
(signed Prime).
Do you remember our conversation about that very secret
matter we called "Tube Alloys" which you told me would be put
right as soon as the President got home? I should be very grateful
for some news about this, as at present the American War Department
is asking us to keep them informed of our experiments while re-
fusing althogether any information ybout theirs.
PRI:E
SECRET
PSF
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
fill mel
April 2, 1943
MEMORANDUM FOR
THE PRESIDENT
I suppose this 18 self-
explanatory to you.
MHM
PSF Bush folder2.43
OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1530 P STREET NW.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
VANNEVAR BUSH
Director
March 31, 1943.
Mr. Marvin H. McIntyre,
The White House,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. MoIntyre:
When I lunched with the President last Wednesday
he inquired concerning a military establishment in the
State of Washington. It appears that one of the Senators
from Washington had taken up with him the question of
whether this establishment would not unduly interfere with
agricultural efforts in the region. At the time I did not
know all the facts, and I hence told the President that I
would look it up.
I find that the establishment in question, which
is near Pasco, is indeed one connected with a development
that I have had something to do with. Accordingly, I
discussed the entire affair with the Army engineers in-
volved and examined particularly into the question of
interference with crops. I came to the definite personal
conclusion that every care has been used to render this
interference minimum.
A very careful search was made before choosing
the site. No other site in the entire country could be
found that combined the rather strict needs of this pro-
ject for power, water, and isolation. A representative
of the Department of Agriculture looked over the site
with the Army representatives and stated that he knew of
no other site where less damage would be done to agricul-
ture in view of the needs. The extent of the tract
occupied and the general arrangements have been based
on the recommendations of engineers that I consider highly
competent, and I believe their stated requirements are
essential for the best success of the effort and could
not safely be decreased.
-2-
I also find that definite steps have been taken
to insure that this year's crops will be taken off ex-
cept where the area is actually in use, and the used
area will be a small part of the tract. The efforts to
keep the interference with agriculture in the region at
an absolute minimum consistent with Army needs seem to
me to have been handled with every inclination to pro-
tect the agricultural effort as far as possible.
I think that the President did not wish me to do
anything further than to examine into the situation in-
dependently and form an opinion as to whether it was be-
ing well handled. This I have done with the above con-
clusions. If, however, there is anything further he
would care to have me do in this connection, you will
of course let me know.
Cordially yours,
Right
V. Bush,
Director.
PSF:Bush
Pm President
folder - 13
Brown to file or kup.
Dors this goto adminal
it in our Secret files
here? GST. -
Mi Latta : -
Miss Jully counts to
know to whom this should
be uferred -
ZgB
Miss Tully -
.
I believe this is a matter for consideration
by Dr. Vannevar Bush, Director of the Office of
Scientific Research and Development.
M.C.L.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Miss Jully
for the President
from
V. Bush folder 2-43
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 14, 1943.
MEMORANDUM FOR
HON. HARRY HOPKINS:
What should I do about this
and the reply to Churchill's wire?
F.D.R.
Ltr. 6-30-43, from Harry Hopkins to
Dr. Vannevar Bush, Carnegie Institution,
1530 P St., N.W., re discussion with the
Prime Minister re question of exchange of
information re X tube alloys, including the
building project.
The alone ltc. 6/30/43 from m Hophins
+ ong. of this memo sent to Dr. Buck,
7/14/43.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 11, 1943
MEMORANDUM FOR
MISS GRACE TULLY
The President has
read this and it can now
be filed.
H.L.H.
Encl.
file from
Dr. V. Bush re
tube alloys
RSF an Buch forder
Subj. File
4166
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 9, 1945.
MEMORANDUM FOR
DR. VANNEVAR BUSH:
FOR YOUR INFORMATION.
"F.D.R."F.D.R.
of
Copy/Confidential memorandum, 2/12/45, re
Utilization of Scientific Manpower, from Mrs.
Roosevelt, which discusses the unwarranted
usurpation of manpower by the National Research
Defense Committee and the Office of Scientific
Research and Development and the use of that
power to protect the pecuniary interests of
individual scientists at the expense of the war
effort; mentions particularly the loss of the
services of men in the Minesweeping Section (620)
of the Bureau of Ships.
PSF-Bush
OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Subject File you
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1530 P STREET NW.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
VANNEVAR BUSH
Washington 25, D.C.
August 7, 1943.
Director
The President,
Franklin D. Reosevelt Library
The White House,
Washington, D.C.
DECLASSIFIED
AEC to Director FDRL
Dear Mr. President:
2-12-70
Pursuant to your instructions contained in your
letter of July twentieth, I have proceeded to arrange
for further interchange with the British on the subject
of tubealloy.
This matter was, in fact, raised by the Prime
Minister while I was in London and there were confer-
ences there in which Secretary Stimson participated. In
response to your cable to the Prime Minister, Sir John
Anderson arrived in this country this week and there have
been further conversations here. We asked him to indi-
cate definitely the way in which the present American
policy should be altered or supplemented in order to pro-
vide for interchange as desired by the British, and he
has done so in a letter, a copy of which I enclose. I
have replied to this, and enclose a copy of my reply, the
substance of which has been approved by Secretary Stimson
and General Marshall. Unfortunately, Mr. Wallace has been
out of the city this week so that I could not consult him,
but I feel sure that he will also approve the arrangements.
I have also informed the members of the Military Committee
on this subject, General Styer and Admiral Purnell, of
developments. Finally, I enclose a copy of a brief let-
ter dated August 6, in which Sir John Anderson indicates
that our agreement is satisfactory to him.
In my opinion this exchange of letters provides
adequately for appropriate interchange, with due regard
to the maintenance of security, and with the object of
providing the British with all of the information which
they can utilize in this connection in the prosecution
of the war, in return for the benefit of the delibera-
tions of their own scientific and technical groups.
Sir John Anderson has now written me a further let-
FORVICTORY
ter concerning details of interchange, but I feel this
should go before the Combined Policy Committee as soon
BUY
UNITED
as it is formed.
STATES
WAR
BONDS
AND
STAMPS
SECRET
-2-
You will note that my reply gave no comments con-
cerning the first four points, which are matters of broad
international agreement. I understand that the Prime
Minister has advised Secretary Stimson of these sugges-
tions. There has, of course, been some discussion of
these during the course of my consultations, and I have
encountered some strong opinions concerning them, but
you will undoubtedly wish to consult on this broad as-
pect of the matter directly rather than through me.
I have attempted to bring about the extended and
renewed interchange which you desire, in an appropriate
and effective manner, without introducing any step which
could be regarded as either improper or improvident. Our
thought has been guided by the conviction that all steps
taken at this time should be solely for the purpose of
winning the war at the earliest possible moment. I trust
you will feel that this attempt has been successful, and
that we may have your further instructions.
At your convenience I shall of course be happy to
report to you upon other aspects of my recent journey.
Respectfully yours,
V. Bush,
Director.
1
Franklin D. Recsevelt Library
DECL ASSIFIED
AEC to Divector 2-12-70 FORL
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
c
DECLASSIFIED
c
o
o
P
AEC to Director FORL
P
y
2-12-70
y
BRITISH embassy
WASHINGTON, D.C.
6th August, 1943.
My dear Dr. Bush,
Thank you so much for your letter of the 6th
August which is entirely satisfactory from my point
of view.
I am of course quite ready to make the small
amendment which you suggest in the first clause of the
draft agreement, and I am now proposing to submit the
draft, with this alteration, to the Prime Minister for
his consideration. I assume therefore that you will
similarly submit it to the President.
As regards the point made regarding the inter-
pretation of sub-paragraph (b) in the 5th clause of the
draft, I agree, of course, that it will not be for the
combined Policy Committee to interfere with the control
of the American programme by the Corps of Engineers of
the United States Army. My thought is that the members
of the combined Policy Committee should have such infor-
mation as may be necessary to enable all of us to be
satisfied that we are making the greatest possible con-
tribution towards bringing the project to fruition at
the earliest possible moment.
I am afraid that, owing to the short notice which
it was possible to give of my visit, you have been put
to considerable inconvenience, and I am most grateful to
you for the great trouble you have taken to round the
matter off in the limited time which I have been able to
spend here.
My visit has given me great pleasure personally
and I hope we may meet again soon.
Yours very sincerely,
(signed) JOHN ANDERSON
Dr. Vannevar Bush,
Office of Scientific Research & Development,
1530 P. Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.
OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1530 P STREET NW.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
VANNEVAR BUSH
Director
Washington 25, D.O.
August 6, 1943.
Franklin D. Reesevelt Library
DECLASSIFIED
Sir John Anderson,
Lord President of the Council,
AEC to FORL 2-12-70 Dwector
British Embassy,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir John:
I was glad to receive your letter of August 4
and I believe that it presents an excellent basis for
settlement of the question of interchange of informa-
tion which we discussed. It is evident that the sub-
jeot matter of the suggested agreement falls into two
categories. The first four points are concerned with
matters of international understanding quite beyond
the definite problem of appropriate arrangements for
interchange. These four points, therefore, are for the
consideration of the President and the Prime Minister.
I have reviewed the fifth point only, which is
concerned with arrangements for full and effective
collaboration on the research and development program,
with Mr. Stimson and with General Marshall and have,
of course, discussed it quite fully with Dr. Conant.
All of us are in agreement that it presents a procedure
by which interchange on this subject can now be carried
on for the purpose of the most rapid possible development
of this affair. Mr. Wallace, the remaining member of
the Policy Committee to which the President referred the
general handling of this subject, is absent from the
city and I have not been able to discuss the matter with
him. I am, however, confident that he will agree. The
matter, therefore, appears to be now in form for presen-
tation to the Prime Minister and to the President, and
it is to be hoped that they will agree that a suitable
solution has been reached.
The object of the arrangement is so to inter-
change information, as you state, as to bring the pro-
ject to fruition at the earliest possible moment. This
U.S. Secret British Most Secret
Franklin D. Reesevelt Library
-2-
DECLASSIFIED
ACC to Director FORL
2-12-70
has in fact been definitely in the minds of our Policy
Committee from the outset, and was in fact the basis
for our recomendation that interchange should be made
wherever the receipt of the information would definitely
advance the project as a war measure. The implementa-
tion of this in its detail has in fact become confused
in recent months, but I an glad to say that I now feel
that on the basis of your memorandum we have arrived at
a position where all possible misunderstandings may be
promptly cleared away, and fully effective collaboration
restored. In order that we may be sure that there is
now no misunderstanding I will comment on a few points.
There is one very small point in your first clause
of the draft. You state that a very much greater expense
will fall upon the United States. I suggest that this
might now be put in the past tense. The fact 15, of course,
as you know, that the United States has already committed
itself to the expenditure of hundreds of millions of
dollars, and has employed the services of thousands of
scientific and technical men on the project. It might,
therefore, be well in the final draft to signify this
fact by a minor change at this point.
As you state, the acceptance of this draft of
principles will soon need to be followed by steps for
implementing the arrangements in detail. I have now re-
ceived your letter of August 5 along these lines, but
have not placed it before our policy group. As a matter
of procedure the first step after the formation of the
Policy Committee would certainly seem to be the presen-
tation to that Committee by American and British scien-
tists the over-all picture of the current situation in
their respective countries and the plans for the future.
On the basis of the evidence thus presented the Policy
Committee would agree as to the method of providing
agreement. specific interchange to carry out the provisions of the
One very important early step will be the selec-
tion of the Combined Policy Committee to which we will
proceed to give thought immediately. The most important
U.S. Secret British Most Secret
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
DECLA SSIFIED
AEC to Director FORL
2-12-70
result of the creation of this Committee will, I think,
be that it will provide for a thorough understanding of
the general status and progress of the effort at the
top level in the two Governments. It is our understand-
ing that while the members of the Policy Committee will
have access to all general information about all phases
of the effort, the interchange of information about the
detail of manufacture or construction of plants or of any
final weapon will be governed by the provisions of (d),
and that your suggested provision (b) merely is intended
to provide that members of the Committee may interchange
with their immediate scientific advisers the information
they may have, in view of the fact that in some cases men-
bers of the Committee may not themselves be scientists.
It is, of course, clear that this. Committee is concerned
with general policy, especially as to the extent and pro-
cedure on the interchange; and that its existence will
not interfere with the control of the American program
by the Corps of Engineers of the United States Army. I
trust that we may find it possible to select a very strong
group indeed for this purpose.
I trust that you will present this matter to the
Prime Minister when you meet, and if you will let me know
that you intend to do so, I will simulaneously transmit
our exchange of letters to the President, so that they may
both be fully informed of the successful outcome of our
discussions when they meet. I hope very much we will find
that they are also in agreement on the procedure at which
we have now arrived.
Very truly yours,
Vannevar Bush.
Franklin D. Reosevelt Library
DEGI ASSISTED
AEC to Director FDRL
C
P
2-12-70
p
y
y
BRITISH EMBASSY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MOOT SECRET
4th August, 1943.
My dear Dr. Bush,
Many thanks for your letter of the 3rd August
and the documents which you kindly sent me with it.
As you know, the Prime Minister prepared some
draft Heads of Agreement after our meeting in London
and sent a copy of them to Mr. Stimson. I have been
working on this document in the light of our talk and
I now send you an expanded version of it which I have
entitled:- "Draft articles of Agreement governing
collaboration between the authorities of the U.S.A.
and the U.K. in the matter of Tube Alloys".
My idea is that we should try to reach agreement
on a draft along these lines and submit it as soon as
possible to the President and the Prime Minister for
their consideration.
You will see that in the draft articles I have
dealt with the broad principles on which interchange of
information should be conducted. I contemplate, how-
ever, that there should be a second memorandum setting
out with greater precision and detail the arrangements
which should govern the direct interchange of informa-
tion between the groups in our two countries working on
each section of the project. If the wording of the docu-
ment dated the 15th of December 1942, and enclosed in
your letter, were altered to make it clear that it ap-
plied to interchange on this level only, I agree with
you that it might well serve as a basis for this second
memorandum. The details would, of course, need modifi-
cation in the light of the programme of work agreed by
the combined Policy Committee; but I imagine that you
always intended that these arrangements should be re-
viewed and amended in the light of alterations made from
time to time in our respective programmes.
Dr. Vannevar Bush,
Director, Office of Scientific Research and Development.
-2-
The draft articles have been prepared in a form
suitable for an agreement between the U.S.A. and the
U.K. only. We shall, I think, have to discuss together
and with the Canadians the question of Canadian parti-
cipation which would, of course, necessitate appropriate
changes in the form and wording. But we need not let
that delay us in our immediate task of settling the kind
of clauses which should be contained in the agreement,
whether the Canadians came in or not.
Finally, may I thank you very much for sending me
the statement on the possible use of radio-active material
in warfare. This is & matter to which we also have given
some attention. I shall look forward to receiving the
more detailed report to which you refer, and I will, on
my return, at once have the results of our studies checked
against yours.
Yours very sincerely,
(signed) JOHN ANDERSON
Dr. Vannevar Bush,
Office of Scientific Research and Development,
1530 P Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.
DRAFT articles of Agreement governing collaboration
between the authorities of the U.S.A. and the U.K.
in the matter of Tube Alloys.
1.
Whereas it is vital to our common safety in the
present War to bring the Tube Alloys project to fruition
at the earliest moment; and whereas this may be more
speedily achieved if all available British and American
brains and resources are pooled; and whereas owing to
war conditions it would be an improvident use of war re-
sources to duplicate plants on a large scale on both
sides of the Atlantic and therefore a far greater ex-
pense will fall upon the United States;
It is agreed between us
First, that we will never use this agency against
each other.
Secondly, that we will not use it against third
parties without each other's consent.
Thirdly, that we will not either of us communicate
any information about Tube Alloys to third parties except
by mutual consent.
Fourthly, that in view of the heavy burden of pro-
duction falling upon the United States as the result of a
wise division of war effort, the British Government recog-
nize that any post-war advantages of an industrial or com-
mercial character shall be dealt with as between the United
States and Great Britain on terms to be specified by the
President of the United States to the Prime Minister of
Great Britain. The Prime Minister expressly disclaims any
interest in these industrial and commercial aspects beyond
what may be considered by the President of the United States
to be fair and just and in harmony with the economic wel-
fare of the world.
And Fifthly, that the following arrangements shall
be made to ensure full and effective collaboration between
the two countries in bringing the project to fruition:
(a) There shall be set up in Washington a Combined
Policy Committee composed of:-
The functions of this Committee, subject to
the control of the respective Governments,
will be:-
(1) To agree from time to time upon the programme
of work to be carried out in the two countries.
(2) To keep all sections of the project under con-
stant review.
(3) To allocate materials, apparatus and plant, in
limited supply, in accordance with the requirements
of the programme agreed by the Committee.
(4) To settle any questions which may arise on the
interpretation or application of this Agreement.
(b) There shall be complete interchange of informa-
tion and ideas on all sections of the project
between members of the Policy Committee and
their immediate technical advisers.
(c) In the field of scientific research and develop-
ment there shall be full and effective inter-
change of information and ideas between those
in the two countries engaged in the same sec-
tions of the field.
(d) In the field of design, construction and opera-
tion of large-scale plants, interchange of in-
formation and ideas shall be regulated by such
ad hoc arrangements as may, in each section of
the field, as appear to be necessary or desir-
able if the project is to be brought to fruition
at the earliest moment. Such ad hoc arrange-
ments shall be subject to the approval of the
Policy Committee.
Bush folder 2-43
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 28, 1943.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
Col. Sexton, in General Marshall's
office, called to say that Dr. Conant is
not in town today but is expected between
10:00 and 10:30 tomorrow morning. He may
then be reached at Dr. Bush's office --
Dupont 6400.
djb
Gilbs - where
2HE
PSF-Bush PSF-
SECRET
<File
17)
CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON,D.C.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
DECLASSIFIED
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
AEC Diveater, 2-12-70 FORL
July 28, 1943
not file
Domatains
Dear Mr. President:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your
letter of July 20th to Dr. Bush concerning ex-
change of information with the British Government
regarding tube alloys. I have informed Dr. Bush,
who is now in England, concerning the substance
of your letter.
Tomorrow I shall also bring your letter
to the attention of Dr. James B. Conant upon his
return to Washington. He is now in Chicago on
business related to this project, on which he acts
as Dr. Bush's deputy.
Sincerely yours,
Carroll L. Wilson
Executive Assistant
to Dr. Bush
The President
The White House
Washington
SECRET
From the Office of
V. BUSH
August 4, 1943.
Mr. McIntyre:
I transmit a letter for
the President which I have re-
ceived from Dr. Oppenheimer, but
which I think it is quite appro-
priate to transmit without my
review. It is in reply to the
President's recent letter to
Dr. Oppenheimer.
file
V. Bush.
No ansver answer
PSF Bash
LOS ALAMOS
SANTA FE. NEW MEXICO
Subjit File
P.O. BOX 1663
July 9, 1943
Dear Mr. President:
Thank you for your generous letter of June 29th
You would be glad to know how greatly your good words of
reassurance were appreciated by us. There will be many
times in the months ahead when we shall remember them.
It is perhaps appropriate that I should in turn
transmit to you the assurance that we as a group and as
individual Americans are profoundly aware of our respon-
sibility, for the security of our project as well as for
its rapid and effective completion. It is a great source
of encouragement to us that we have in this your support
and understanding.
Very sincerely yours,
9 R offenteime
J. R. Oppenheimer
Franklin D. Receivell Library
DECLASSIFIED
AEC to Divector FDRL
2-12-70
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Socrat
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 1, 1943.
MEMORANDUM FOR
DR. CONANT
Dr. Bush asked that the
enclosed letters be sent to you
for safe delivery.
Grace G. Tully
PRIVATE SECRETARY
(Enclosures)
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
DECLASSIFIED
AEC & Director 2-12-70 FDRL
SECRET
June 29, 1943
My dear Dr. Oppenheimer:
I have recently reviewed with Dr. Bush the highly
important and secret program of research, development and
manufacture with which you are familiar. I was very glad
to hear of the excellent work which is being done in a
number of places in this country under the immediate super-
vision of General L. R. Groves and the general direction
of the Committee of which Dr. Bush is Chairman. The suc-
cessful solution of the problem is of the utmost importance
to the national safety, and T am confident that the work
will be completed in as short & time as possible as the
result of the wholehearted cooperation of all concerned.
I am writing to you as the leader of one group
which is to play & vital role in the months ahead. I know
that you and your colleagues are working on a hazardous
matter under unusual circumstances. The fact that the out-
come of your labors is of such great significance to the
nation requires that this program be even more drastically
guarded than other highly secret war developments. I have
therefore given directions that every precaution be taken
to insure the security of your project and feel sure that
those in charge will see that these orders are carried out.
You are fully aware of the reasons why your own endeavors
and those of your associates must be circumscribed by very
special restrictions. Nevertheless, I wish you would express
to the scientists assembled with you my deep appreciation
of their willingness to undertake the tasks which lie before
them in spite of the dangers and the personal sacrifices.
I an sure we can rely on their continued wholehearted and
unselfish labors. Whatever the enemy may be planning,
American science will be equal to the challenge. With this
thought in mind, I send this note of confidence and apprecia-
tion.
- 2 -
Though there are other important groups at work,
I am writing only to you as the leader of the one which is
operating under very special conditions, and to General
Groves. While this letter is secret, the contents of it
may be disclosed to your associates under & pledge of
secrecy.
Very sincerely yours,
Dr. J. R. Oppenheimer,
Post Office Box 1663,
Santa Fe,
New Mexico.
Franklin D. Receively Library
RECLASSIFIED
AEC to Director 2-12-70 PORL
SEGRET
June 29, 1943
My dear Ceneral Groves:
I have recently reviewed with Dr. Bush the highly
important and secret program of research, development and
manufacture with which you are familiar. I was very glad to
hear of the excellent work which is being done in a number
of places in this country under your immediate supervision
and the general direction of the Committee of which Dr. Bush
is Chairman. The successful solution of the problem is of
the utmost importance to the national safety, and T an
confident that the work will be completed in as short & time
as possible as the result of the wholehearted cooporation
of all concerned.
I am writing to you as the one who has charge of
all the development and manufacturing aspects of this work.
I know that there are several groups of scientists working
under your direction on various phases of the program. The
fact that the outcome of their labors is of such great
significance to the nation requires that this project be
even more drastically guarded than other highly secret war
developments. As you know, I have therefore given directions
that every precaution be taken to insure the security of
your project. T an sure the scientists are fully aware of
the reasons why their endeavors must be circumscribed by
very special restrictions. Nevertheless, I wish you would
express to them my deep appreciation of their willingness
to undertake the tabks which lie before them in spite of
the possible dengers and the personal sacrifices involved.
In particular, I should be glad to have you communicate the
contents of this letter to the leaders of each important
group. I am sure re can rely on the continued wholehearted
and unselfish labors of those non engaged. Whatever the
enomy may be planning, American Science will be equal to
the challenge. With this thought in mind, I send this note
of confidence and appreciation.
Very sincerely yours,
Brigadier General L. R. Groves,
Room 5120, New War Department Building,
21st and Virginia Avenue, N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
Bush
From the Office of
V. BUSH
June 28, 1943.
Mr. Forster:
When I lunched with the
President last Thursday I suggested
two letters for his signature to help
improve the morale of the scientists
on an important matter, and he seemed
to think this was desirable. I take
the liberty of enclosing drafts, one
to Oppenheimer who is in charge of
one important group, and the other
to General Groves which he can in
turn take up with several groups. I
group it in this way to avoid the
necessity of numerous letters, and I
think these two will take care of it.
I will appreciate it if you
will have these typed and lay them
before the President. If this is
done after I leave, which will be
on Wednesday, they can be delivered
to Dr. Conant at 1530 P Street, who
will take care of them for me.
N.Ouch
V. Bush.
DRAFT OF LETTER
Dr. J. R. Oppenheimer
P. 0. Box 1663
Santa Fe, New Mexico
My dear Dr. Oppenheimer:
I have recently reviewed with Dr. Bush the highly
important and secret program of research, development and
manufacture with which you are familiar. I was very glad
to hear of the excellent work which is being done in a num-
ber of places in this country under the immediate super-
vision of General L. R. Groves and the general direction
of the Committee of which Dr. Bush is Chairman. The success-
ful solution of the problem is of the utmost importance to
the national safety, and I am confident that the work will
be completed in as short a time as possible as the result
of the wholehearted cooperation of all concerned.
I am writing to you as the leader of one group which
is to play a vital role in the months ahead. I know that
you and your colleagues are working on a hazardous matter
under unusual circumstances. The fact that the outcome of
your labors is of such great significance to the nation re-
quires that this program be even more drastically guarded
than other highly secret war developments. I have therefore
given directions that every precaution be taken to insure
the security of your project and feel sure that those in
charge will see that these orders are carried out. You are
fully aware of the reasons why your own endeavors and those
of your associates must be circumscribed by very special
restrictions. Nevertheless, I wish you would express to
the scientists assembled with you my deep appreciation of
their willingness to undertake the tasks which lie before
them in spite of the dangers and the personal sacrifices.
I am sure we can rely on their continued wholehearted and
unselfish labors. Whatever the enemy may be planning,
American science will be equal to the challenge. With this
thought in mind, I send this note of confidence and appre-
ciation.
Though there are other important groups at work, I
am writing only to you as the leader of the one which is
operating under very special conditions, and to General
Groves. While this letter is secret, the contents of it
may be disclosed to your associates under a pledge of
secrecy.
Very sincerely yours,
DRAFT OF LETTER
Brigadier General L. R. Groves,
Room 5120, New War Department Building,
21st and Virginia Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
My dear General Groves:
I have recently reviewed with Dr. Bush the highly
important and secret program of research, development
and manufacture with which you are familiar. I was very
glad to hear of the excellent work which is being done in
a number of places in this country under your immediate
supervision and the general direction of the Committee of
which Dr. Bush is Chairman. The successful solution of
the problem is of the utmost importance to the national
safety, and I am confident that the work will be completed
in as short a time as possible as the result of the whole-
hearted cooperation of all concerned.
I am writing to you as the one who has charge of all
the development and manufacturing aspects of this work. I
know that there are several groups of scientists working un-
der your direction on various phases of the program. The
fact that the outcome of their labors is of such great sig-
nificance to the nation requires that this project be even
more drastically guarded than other highly secret war de-
velopments. As you know, I have therefore given directions
that every precaution be taken to insure the security of
your project. I am sure the scientists are fully aware of
the reasons why their endeavors must be circumscribed by
very special restrictions. Nevertheless, I wish you would
express to them my deep appreciation of their willingness
to undertake the tasks which lie before them in spite of
the possible dangers and the personal sacrifices involved.
In particular, I should be glad to have you communicate the
contents of this letter to the leaders of each important
group. I am sure we can rely on the continued wholehearted
and unselfish labors of those now engaged. Whatever the
enemy may be planning, American Science will be equal to
the challenge. With this thought in mind, I send this note
of confidence and appreciation.
Very sincerely yours,
-SECRET-
PSF
29A
Franklin D. Receivelt Library
Bush
DECLASSIFIED
AEC to Director FDRL
August 23, 1943.
Subject File
2-12-70
MEMORANDUM for The President:
Tubealloy - Interchange with the British.
We await your instructions regarding interchange with the
British on this subject as a result of correspondence with Sir John
Anderson recently placed in your hands through Mr. Hopkins. A report
on the present status of the whole project has just been forwarded
to General Marshall.
The next steps, if you approve the correspondence regard-
ing interchange, are to convene a combined committee, which will lay
down rules for security and arrange conferences between scientific
groups as needed to expedite the program fully.
I suggest, before you leave the Prime Minister, one step
to accelerate matters. It would help if a top British scientist,
accepted and of sound judgment, could be sent here as chief liaison
under Sir John Anderson, to help make arrangements for the committee's
work. He should be of the caliber of Sir Henry Dale or Sir Henry
Tizard, and not one of the group working experimentally on a single
phase of the problem.
I hasten to make this suggestion for the following reason.
In previous negotiations difficulty was encountered because the British
representative was an industrialist, Mr. Akers of International Chemical
Industries. This same man is now here, apparently to make similar
arrangements. He recently, and without consulting us, brought four
eminent British scientific workers here for interchange. As we cannot
use them until the combined committee has laid down the rules, they
are likely to think us reluctant to interchange, whereas the exact
opposite is true and we are anxious to get appropriate interchange
going in an orderly fashion, so that relations will not this time
become tangled. Akers is a very able man, but not the one to handle
this matter.
We will proceed promptly with the whole affair on receiving
your instructions.
N.Broh
V. Bush.
SECRET
Tube allys
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
PSF
Bush
PRIME MINISTER.
Subject File
Tube Alloys.
1.
May I send the President the attached set of
telegrams in amplification of what you told him about the
visit by Sir Edward Appleton?
2.
In the Articles of Agreement signed at Quebec it
was stated that the United States members of the Combined
Policy Committee should be the Secretary of War, Dr. Bush
and Dr. Conant. Mr. Stimson spoke to you about this after
luncheon yesterday, but I did not hear clearly what he said.
Do you wish to make any record of his remarks or inform the
Lord President?
1.9.17
Mr. Hopins 9.9.43 to ree first.
PARAPHRASE OF TELEGRAM TO PRIME MINISTER FROM LORD PRESIDENT.
August 28, 1943.
Tube Alloys. Reference your WELFARE 450.
I am distressed at this report on Akers, who has rendered
most excellent service as our Chief Executive on Tube Alloys and
about whose integrity and ability I have not the slightest doubt.
During negotiations in Washington there was a suggestion that the
United States authorities would not regard Akers as a suitable
person to represent us on the Combined Policy Committee, an
attitude which could be understood having regard to the fact that
his work lies in the field of technical rather than political
direction. No objection was however then raised to our using him
for the sort of purpose for which he is now in the United States -
namely, to co-ordinate the views and activities of the representa-
tives of our individual scientific groups and to act as Chief
Technical Assistant and Adviser to our representatives on the
Policy Committee.
I should add that the four eminent British Scientific
workers were sent over on my instructions. This step was clearly
necessary if time was not to be unnecessarily wasted and was in
accordance with the following passage taken from the 5th paragraph
of Dr. Bush's letter of the 6th August to me:-
"As a matter of procedure the first step, after the
formation of the Policy Committee, would certainly seem to be the
presentation to that Committee by American and British Scientists
of the overall picture of the current situation in their respective
countries and the plans for the future; the basis of the evidence
thus presented the Policy Committee would agree as to the method
of providing specific interchange to carry out the provisions of the
agreement."
Evidently however Akers's inclusion among our representa-
tives on Tube Alloys in Washington has caused trouble in the past
and is likely to continue to do so, and this is a fact which, in
the interests of the prosecution of that project as a joint enter-
prise, we cannot afford to ignore. I accordingly suggest for your
consideration that you should propose to the President that
Sir Edward Appleton should at once go out to Washington on a short
visit. The purpose of his visit would be first to help to arrange
buy
-2-
for launching of the Combined Committee, and secondly to submit
to me recommendations regarding any adjustments which he may
consider that the establishment of the Combined Committee makes
necessary in our present arrangements for the technical direction
of our work on the project.
In the latter connection an important factor to which
we have every right to give full consideration is the general
cohesion and contentment of our workers on the project. I doubt
whether the recommendations which Appleton will have to make will
affect anything more than our representation on the technical level
in Washington, but even in that respect he will have to bear in
mind the position of our team in Canada who have hitherto been
accustomed to look to Akers for technical direction. I do not
think that either Dale or Tizzard would be suitable for this
Mission, indeed I am convinced that Appleton is the only man for
it. Besides having the scientific eminence apparently required,
he is also the permanent Head of the Department of Scientific
and Industrial Research, of which the Directorate of Tube Alloys
is a part. He thus has some general responsibility in the matter
and also intimate knowledge of all the personalities involved on
our side. I have every reason to believe that he will be
acceptable to the American Scientists, with whom he has always
been on the best of terms. I should be grateful if you could
telegraph as soon as possible whether Appleton should go.
We cannot possibly hope to be able to conceal from Akers
the fact that objection has been taken to him from the American
side, though we need not, of course, make any specific mention
of Bush.
Franklin D. Reosevelt Library
DECLASSIFIED
AEC to Director FDRL
COPY
2-12-70
MOST SECRET, FOR PRIME MINISTER FROM LORD PRESIDENT.
September 2, 1943.
There is an excellent opportunity of sending Appleton
by fast boat due to reach New York towards the end of next week,
but this will involve his leaving London tomorrow night
September 3rd.
After careful consideration I have come to the conclu-
sion that, even if immediate difficulties about Akers's personal
position should be cleared up otherwise, it would still be very
valuable for Appleton to pay a visit to Washington at this stage.
Combining as he does a general knowledge of the whole field of
Anglo-American co-operation on scientific matters with a
particular responsibility, as head of the D.S.I. R.N. for the
scientific side of tube alloys, he is better qualified than anyone
to get on to such terms with the American scientists in tube
alloys as to ensure that there shall be no further difficulties or
misunderstandings. I have accordingly decided to take advantage
of this special opportunity and have asked Appleton to leave
tomorrow.
1900
Franklin D. Reosevelt Library
DECLASSIFIED
AEC to Director FORL
COPY
2-12-70
MOST SECRET, FOR LORD PRESIDENT FROM PRIME MINISTER.
September 2, 1943.
I am glad Appleton is coming.
EXTRACT FROM 'WHO'S WHO'
APPLETON, Sir Edward Victor, K.C.B. cr. 1941; M.A.,
D.Sc., Hon. L.L.D. (Aberdeen), F.R.S. 1927; Secretary Department
of Scientific and Industrial Research since 1939; b 6 Sep. 1892;
S. of Peter Appleton, Bradford, Yorks; m. Jessie, d. of late
Rev. J. Longson; two d. Educ. Hanson School, Bradford;
St. John's College, Cambridge (Scholar and Exhibitioner); Natural
Science Tripos, Parts 1 and II (Physics), 1913 and 1914; Wiltshire
Prizeman 1913; Hutchinson Research Student, 1914. Served
European War 1914-18, West Riding Regt. and Capt. R.E.; Assistant
Demonstrator in Experimental Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, 1920;
sub-lector, Trinity College, 1922; Wheatstone Professor of Physics,
University of London, 1924-36; Jacksonian Professor of Natural
Philosophy, Cambridge University, 1936-39; formerly Fellow of
St. John's College Cambridge; Chairman of British National
Committee for Radio-telegraphy; Morris Liebmann Memorial Prizeman
(1929) and Vice-President (1932) American Inst. Radio Eng. ;
Hughes Medallist of Royal Society, 1933; President International
Scientific Radio Union. Publications: various original papers
on electricity and the scientific problems of wireless-telegraphy.
Address: 4, Exeter House, S.W.15. Club: Athenaeum.
PSF Bush folder
FOREI
SECTION
Subject 10/12/43 File
MEMORANIUM for Dr. Vannevar Bush:
Referring to your letter of August 6th with reference
to tubsalloy and the enclosed copies of correspondence with Sir John
Anderson, I approve of the establishing of a Combined Policy Committee
as suggested and hereby appoint as the two American members:
Dr. Vannevar Bush, with Dr. James B. Comant as
an Alternate.
Major General Wilholm D. Styer.
These members should meet with the British members
at a very early date to organise and initiate the work.
The President.
Franklin D. Reosevelt Library
DECLASSIFIED
AEC 5 Divec for T-DRL
2-12-70
PEODET
Signature
For the President
true g4/3/u4 I
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 10, 1944.
X
MEMORANDUM FOR
xpp72,
2
MRS. ROOSEVELT:
Present
FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND
PLEASE RETURN FOR MY EILES.
F.D.R.
MAY horats Danie
PSF aer. Vannevar Bush folder 3-44
Subject File
OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
THE WHITE HOUSE
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT8 38 AM
'44
1530 P STREET NW.
MAR
WASHINGTON, D.C.
RECEIVED
PSF
VANNEVAR BUSH
Director
Washington 25, D.C.
March 7, 1944. Subject
File
The President,
The White House,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
I return the letter from Irving S. Lowen, enclosed
with your note of March second. This is the young man who
is much stirred up about the special project.
Dr. Conant tells me that you mentioned this matter
in passing last Friday, and that he told you that Mr.
Baruch had been brought into the subject. All three men
noted in the memorandum which I return have now been seen.
Conant had a long talk in Chicago with Fermi and
Wigner, and tells me they are quite satisfied with the ar-
rangements now in effect and do not share Lowen's views.
I spent about all day with Szilard yesterday. His criti-
cisms boil down to the feeling that his group have not been
fully used. There has, of course, been a reluctance to
introduce scientists of foreign origin to the full knowledge
of a matter of potentially great military importance. There
is also a matter of early patent applications which has its
difficulties.
My conclusion is that there have been no more mis-
steps or delays than ought to be anticipated on a matter
of this novelty and complexity, and that the organization
is sound and in capable hands.
I suggest that Lowen be advised to see Mr. Baruch
again. Baruch will turn to Conant if he needs further
information.
FORVICTORY
Respectfully Mgrsh yours,
BUY
UNITED
STATES
V. Bush,
WAR
Director.
BONDS
AND
STAMPS
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 25, 1944.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
I suggest that you might some-
time ask Mr. Conant to see Professor
E. Wigner, Dr. L. Szilord, and Pro-
fessor E. Fermi, who are with the
Metallurgical Laboratories, Univer-
sity of Chicago, to tell about their
work which has such important implica-
tions for the future.
E.R.
Nelsis
944.
Ranghing
him
Johne SL.
Dear Mrs. Rousevell:
heapt
The purpose of this note is all twofold: friel to summary
3
sup York, N.Y. 2/24/44
the present situation, 20 far as I know it, in those matters
you have been no kind as to show are interest in, and
record, to express again my gratitude for the geal aid
you so generously exten ded to me in the fight for an
improvement in there affairs.
As for as the situation al present is uncerved from
the little I have been able to gather, there has been
no appreciable improvement I guther that the revailing
opinion 7 the scientific and technical personnel's of
still the same : that the war may be ended before
ither side develops the weapon, n indeed thal we
may develop if fist but that in any event unpisatille
risks have been and are being taken.
Also, in this connection; I seem to be pretty
effectively stopped from doing any more fighting. This
has been milished three my being wl off from
all information via secrecy regulations which tabl
effect again me mil I no langer have any
official connection with these propits Fn the time
being I do not see any sure I can do to continuitly
highl seems no prospect the
ntuation changing in thalrosperl, itseems I am nine 4
less and 7 the rumning frigovd.
should you have any reason to denie me current
information than I can supply, I think the following
men would probably be happy to came to Washington
al your request to supply it. Their names & address
are
Prof. E. Wigner x
Metallenguial haln atones
Unio. f chicago
u
Dr. L. Szilard
Chicago, Ill.
Prof. E. Fermix
The first twoman were responsible starting the
chicago project, having proposed the idea Nobel to the Prevident
na Prf. Evistein The third, a Prycimmer,
discovered the plenomena on which the development
is based. The first man, Wignes, is learning the projal
in July.
In conclusion, may I say, that if there should
be any way in which I might be of me in this matter,
I stand ready to do anything I can. Finally, if mary
way I can be 7 service to yourself, may I express the
hope that you anfer the great hower of calling on me.
Most suncerely yours
Iring S. Lower
V6 Walls end
you regry Such wh for is MR
girls
hand
if
COPY
ZONE 25
SECRET
DECEMBER 30, 1943
THE PRESIDENT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
My DEAR MR. PRESIDENT:
I AM RETURNING HEREWITH THE LETTERS SENT YOU BY
MR. IRVING S, LOWEN, SHORTLY BEFORE YOU WENT AWAY. You MAY
RECALL THAT YOU ASKED ME TO SEE THIS MAN ONCE AGAIN ON YOUR
BEHALF. THIS I DID A FEW WEEKS AGO. I DISCOVERED, HOWEVER,
THAT HE HAD ALREADY BEEN IN WASHINGTON AND HAD SEEN NUMEROUS
PEOPLE, INCLUDING MR. B. M. BARUCH. I UNDERSTAND FROM MY
CONVERSATION SUBSEQUENTLY WITH MR. BARUCH THAT HE IS TAKING
CARE OF MR. LOWEN.
I SHOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU
THAT IN MY OPINION, BASED ON INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS WHOLE
PROJECT, EVERYTHING IS GOING AS WELL AS IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.
I BELIEVE WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE IN HAVING IN GENERAL GROVES,
THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENTERPRISE, A MAN OF UNUSUAL CAPABILITY AND
FORCE. CRITICISMS LIKE MR. LOWEN'S ARE BASED ON AN INCOMPLETE
VIEW OF THE TOTAL PICTURE ON THE ONE HAND AND ON THE OTHER
REPRESENT THE INEVITABLE EMOTIONAL REACTIONS OF HUMAN BEINGS
INVOLVED IN AN ENTERPRISE OF THIS SORT.
VERY SINCERELY YOURS
JAMES B. CONANT
ENCLOSURES
hms
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 10, 1944.
MEMORANDUM FOR
MRS. ROOSEVELT:
FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND
PLEASE RETURN FOR MY FILES.
F.D.R.
Letter from Dr. V. Bush, Director, Office of
Scientific Research and Development,
3/7/14, to the President, returning letter
which Mrs. Roosevelt received from
Irving S. Lowen, 1 Jane St., NYC, 2/15/44,
together with copy of letter which Dr. James
B. Conant addressed to the President under
date of 12/30/43, in reference to a certain
secret project. Dr. Bush suggests that
Mr. Lowen be advised to see Mr. Baruch again.
hm.
March 2, 1944.
Dear Van:
This young man has bothered us
twice before and I think Jim Conant has
seen him. I fear, too, that he talks too
much. Do you think we should refer the
matter to Conant?
Always sincerely,
Dr. Vannevar Bush,
Office of Scientific Research and
Development,
1530 P Street, N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
Letter which Mrs. Roosevelt received from Irving S. Lowen,
1 Jane St., NYC, 2/15/44, in re project, the name of which he
does not mention, butx suggests that Professor E. Wigner, Dr.
L. Azilard and Professor E. Fermi, all of the Metallurgical Laboratories
of the University of Chicago, would be willing to come to Washington
to discuss the matter. Attached is Mrs. Roosevelt's memorandum of
2/25/44 to the President reading "I suggest that you might sometime
ask Mr. Conant to see Professor E. Wigner, Dr. L. Szilord, and
Professor E.Fermi, who are with the MateCurgical Laboratories,
University of Chicago, to tell about their work which has such important
implications for the future".
Pre the from Lower filed. - Sea Cares "d". dr 5-43
3526
PSF aer Bush folder 3.44
27
Subj. File
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 29, 1944
MEMORANDUM FOR
DR. V. BUSH
Many thanks for your letter
of August twenty-eighth, together
with the accompanying report on
the operations of The Office of
Scientific Research and Develop-
ment.
I an delighted to have this
and I feel that you are absolutely
on the right track.
I am referring the recommen-
dation for termination when peace
comes to the Secretary of War and
the Secretary of the Navy personally,
and I will let you know as soon as
I hear.
F. D. R.
Bush freder 3-44
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
STORET CLS
September 29, 1944
9-12-66
MEMORANDUM FOR
THE SECRETARY OF WAR
and
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
3527
(mith copy year 8/28/44)
hmo
Please read this very inter-
esting report of Dr. Bush in regard
to The Office of Scientific Research
and Development and its termination,
and let me have your judgment,
especially in regard to pages 57 to
61.
F. D. R.
Original of report and copy of
Dr. Bush's let to the P 8/28/44
sent to SecWar 9/29/44 - Sealed
in envelope and given toMajor
Oulie
to deliver to the
Secretery's office personally.
OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1530 P STREET NW.
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
VANNEVAR BUSH
Director
August 28, 1944.
The President,
The White House,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
I transmit herewith a further report on the
operations of the Office of Scientific Research and
Development. It touches on some highlights of ac-
complishment, and recites changes in organization.
There is a section on plans for termination,
for OSRD is a war agency, and should plan to go out
of existence in an orderly manner at the proper time.
I hope you will find opportunity to look at this sec-
tion, for I would like to announce the plans to our
personnel soon, and I trust you will caution me if you
see anything wrong with the plans. I have taken them
up with the Secretaries of War and Navy, and feel sure
I will have their assent.
I have included a section on military organi-
zation for research, for my experience of the past
four years has left strong convictions as to the
manner in which it should be conducted post-war. Un-
doubtedly I will be called on to say what I think on
this subject at some time, and I believe that my
thinking on the matter is not far from your own.
Still I would appreciate it enormously if you should
find time to consider my statements on this subject
and to advise me where you think I am on the wrong
track. The sections of the report which deal with
termination and post-war organization bear tabs for
ready reference.
It is pleasant indeed to look forward to the
time when it will be possible to drop off my present
burden, although it has certainly been a privilege and
a pleasure to serve under your command. You may be
assured that, while we plan for termination, we will
FORVICTORY
not leave anything undone which may help in bringing
the whole war to an early and successful conclusion.
BUY
UNITED
STATES
WAR
BONDS
AND
STAMPS
Respectfully March yours
V. Bush,
Director.
Dr. Bush folder
3-44
file
SECRET
0
WAR DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON
October 18, 1944.
Dear Mr. President:
In accordance with your request, I have read Dr.
Bush's long report with the greatest interest.
I have especially noted his proposal for dealing
with the Office of Scientific Research and Development after
the defeat of Germany. Furthermore, the appropriate Army
officers have had extended conferences with Dr. Bush as to
the working out of this program.
It will require careful handling to be sure that
the scientific effort in the Office of Scientific Research
and Development will continue to be fully effective in help-
ing to bring about the final defeat of Japan, but those who
have the particular responsibility in the Army are confident
that Dr. Bush's plan can be so worked out in practice as to
accomplish this result.
Faithfully yours,
Secretary of War.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
The President,
DECLASSIFIED
The White House.
DOD DIR. 5200.9 (9/27/58)
Date- 3-19-59
SECRET
Signature- Carl Spicer
hims
PSP as Vannevar Bush forder
SubjiFile 3-44
May 29, 1944.
Dear Vannevar:
I am sorry for the long delay in
writing to thank you for your letter of April
twelfth. I feel that there 1s much to be
gained by the interchange of views and opinions.
with kindest regards,
Very sincerely yours,
7.D.R
Dr. Vannevar Bush,
Director,
Office of Scientific Research and
Development,
1830 P Street, N. W.,
Washington, D. c.
ADDRESS YOUR REPLY TO
BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
ANVANTMENT
OF THE
THE
BYICTORY
NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON 23, D. c,
STATE
BUY
I
STATES
AND REFER TO NO.
WAR
BONDS
RTM:mlm
THE OF MEDICINE PROPERTY
STAMPS
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
10 May 1944.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
You will remember that I told you about my conversa-
tion with Doctor A.Baird Hastings, upon his return from
Russia.
In view of what has happened in the Ukraine
it seems to me that the fears he expressed as to the Russians
being unable to move ahead in that area were not well founded.
I am sure that his visit to Russia was of definite benefit
and since we are to have some of the Russian scientists visit
this country during the coming summer, I am sure that it was
more than worthwhile.
As far as answering this letter is concerned, I see no
particular point in it, unless you wish to be nice and tell
Doctor Bush that you feel that there is much to be gained by
such an interchange of views and opinions.
Bomil
R.T.MCINTIRE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 15, 1944.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
ADMIRAL MoINTIRE.
Should this be answered at all?
F. D. R.
CONFIDENTIAL
CLS
OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
4-12-66
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
1530 P STREET NW.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
VANNEVAR BUSH
Director
April 12, 1944
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
Last November when we were about to send a Medical
Research Mission to Russia, you very kindly wrote a letter
to Dr. A. Baird Hastings, giving your official blessing to
this enterprise. This Mission was the first American sci-
entific group to be sent to Russia to exchange war research
information.
The Mission has now returned and has submitted a
very complete report on their conferences and visits to
laboratories in Russia. We are very gratified that they
were cordially received by the many Russian groups whom
they met and by the frank and friendly discussions of medi-
cal research problems which took place. Our group took
with them reports and samples representing many of our
most important results in the broad program of research
in military medicine. The Russians reciprocated in full
measure, and I am confident that as a result the programs
of both countries will benefit materially.
Our best information as to the impression produced
by this Mission, in both American and Russian circles, is
contained in the following cable from Ambassador Harriman:
"Evidently the Soviets agreed to open up before the
arrival of Drs. Hastings and Shimkin, and they did so
with increasing frankness during the course of their
visit in Moscow, which was most successful. There is
no doubt that Dr. Hastings' personality and the manner
in which he handled himself had an important bearing
with results attained, as well as, of course, the
valuable material he brought with him. I was told
by both the Commisser for Health Mitereff and Vice
Commissar Parin with great emphasis the importance
they placed on the information obtained and on main-
taining a continuous interchange of scientific in-
FORVICTORY
formation. Their great respect for Dr. Hastings
BUY
and the helpfulness of Dr. Shimkin, whose knowledge
UNITED
STATES
of Russian combined with his understanding of the
WAR
BONDS
subjects under discussion, obviated the necessity
AND
STAMPS
for the usual formal and unsatisfactory interpreters,
was also expressed by them.
CONF IDENTIAL
-2-
"We may find that although there is no doubt the
Russian scientists sincerely desire continuation of
the relationship established, other influences in the
Government may interfere with their carrying out their
intention fully. So that I may put pressure on the
Foreign Office to fulfill the agreement reached with
Dr. Hastings, I hope you will keep me in touch with
the developments.
"Also in our overall relations with the Soviet, I
feel that the trip has been of real value. In send-
ing Dr. Hastings and for the thorough preparation of
the material he brought with him, I wish to express
to you my appreciation. May I express to you and Dr.
Conant my best regards."
Following the return of the Mission, we extended an
invitation to the Russians to send a return Mission to this
country. The three Surgeon Generals joined us in this invi-
tation. Word has just been received that this invitation has
been accepted, and we hope that the auspicious start which
has been made is only the beginning of a close and mutually
beneficial cooperation between medical research groups in
the two countries.
Respectfully yours,
Bush,
Director.